Flipping his bike at the start of the first race of a New Zealand championship proved to be no barrier for Carterton’s Vinnie Edwards, as he recovered to claim the national title in dominant fashion.
The nine-year-old was confident heading into the first race in the 9–11 years trail [110cc] class at the New Zealand Mini Motocross Nationals in Leeston, Canterbury, earlier this month after a strong showing during practice day.
However, the race day did not start well for Edwards when he flipped his motorbike on the start line, relegating him to last place. Not to be discouraged, he fought his way through the field and finished third behind two Stratford riders, Rex Rooney and Hunter Winstanley.
Edwards easily won the next three races and took a four-point lead over Rooney going into the fifth and final race, which almost assured him of the title. The St Mary’s School student took control of the decisive race from the start, and when Rooney was caught in a rut on the wrong part of the track, Edwards pulled away and cruised to the championship victory, with parents Mike and Laura cheering him home.
“There was a fair amount of fist-pumping going on when he got off his bike,” Laura said.
“It’s quite a big effort. There are a lot of kids in there, and it’s quite competitive.”
Edwards capped off a good trip south, also winning the South Island MX Nationals 9–11 year 65cc class at Nelson on the way home.
Motocross has been in Edwards’ blood since a young age, when Mike, who is a keen motorcyclist, had him riding a four-wheeler at 16 months, an electric trials bike at two, and he started racing at four, although Laura wasn’t always keen on the idea.
“I probably wouldn’t have had him on a bike so soon, but I went back to work, so I couldn’t monitor everything,” she said.
The Mini Nationals were the last for Edwards, who will now move to a junior license for next year.
